9
"Indeed the axe is alreadylaid at the root of the trees; so1everytree that does not beargoodfruit is cutdown and thrown into the fire."
10
And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "2Thenwhat shall we do?"
11
And he would answer and say to them, "The man who hastwotunics is to 3share with him who hasnone; and he who hasfood is to dolikewise."
12
And some 4taxcollectorsalsocame to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
13
And he said to them, "Collectnomorethan what you have been ordered to."
14
Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not takemoney from anyone by force, or5accuse anyone falsely, and 6be content with your wages."
15
Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their heartsaboutJohn, 7as to whether he was the Christ,
16
8Johnanswered and said to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the HolySpirit and fire.
17
"His 9winnowingfork is in His hand to thoroughlyclear His threshingfloor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with 10unquenchablefire."
18
So with manyotherexhortations he preached the gospel to the people.
19
But when 11Herod the tetrarch was reprimanded by him because of 12Herodias, his brother'swife, and because of all the wickedthingswhich13Herod had done,